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A review by mhinnen
When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
What happens to the people in a neighborhood who are pushed out through gentrification? What is the history and what are the stories of the Black people who used to live in what are now predominantly white neighborhoods? And how do corporations exploit every loophole and push every boundary to make as much money as possible?
"When no one is Watching" is told by Sidney, a young Black woman who has come back to her childhood home in Brooklyn and through Theo, her new white neighbor. Told in the form of a thriller mystery, we get to know the people in the community that Sidney grew up in that blow up the stereotypes of the newcomers. And we see how the newcomers don't care to see the humanity in the neighbors who are already there but will perpetuate stereotypes and whatever other means necessary to get into an up-and-coming neighborhood until it reflects their own socio-economic and racial expectations.
As Sidney and Theo piece together patterns of the past with the startling changes happening today, urban legends and folk tales begin to expose a terrifying truth. But we shouldn't be surprised since it has all happened before and is stamped from the beginning of this nation.
Taking on a seemingly over-the-top look at how the racist history of NYC is reflected in today's callous development projects, big pharma, private prisons, hospital, and banking industries impacts real people, "When No One is Watching" is a stark reminder of the costs to real people and communities when profit comes before people. It's a stark reminder of the debt that is owed by those of us who benefit from white privilege.
"When no one is Watching" is told by Sidney, a young Black woman who has come back to her childhood home in Brooklyn and through Theo, her new white neighbor. Told in the form of a thriller mystery, we get to know the people in the community that Sidney grew up in that blow up the stereotypes of the newcomers. And we see how the newcomers don't care to see the humanity in the neighbors who are already there but will perpetuate stereotypes and whatever other means necessary to get into an up-and-coming neighborhood until it reflects their own socio-economic and racial expectations.
As Sidney and Theo piece together patterns of the past with the startling changes happening today, urban legends and folk tales begin to expose a terrifying truth. But we shouldn't be surprised since it has all happened before and is stamped from the beginning of this nation.
Taking on a seemingly over-the-top look at how the racist history of NYC is reflected in today's callous development projects, big pharma, private prisons, hospital, and banking industries impacts real people, "When No One is Watching" is a stark reminder of the costs to real people and communities when profit comes before people. It's a stark reminder of the debt that is owed by those of us who benefit from white privilege.